Road to the O'Brien: Celtics vs Pacers Eastern Conference Finals Matchup

ANAHEIM, CA MAY 21, 2024

What side is Larry Bird on?

After a 5-game series with the Cavaliers, you start to wonder how lucky (no pun intended) the Celtics have been. Like mentioned before in the East-Semis story, this team went against a Jimmy Butler-less Heat play-in team, and now just beat a Donovan Mitchell and friends-short Cavaliers roster. I have even heard some fans call it a "mickey-mouse" championship run. But now the Celtics aren't going up against, a what was expected to be, a Jalen Brunson-less Knicks team, but a fully healthy and hot Pacers roster while still short the Latvian tower in Kristaps Porzingis in at least the first two games of the series.

The Pacers on the other hand, are coming off a 7-game series win over the New York Knicks. Although I expected them to get swept in the other East-Semis story, it has been surprising to see what Tyrese Haliburton and company have been able to accomplish. You could go down the same rabbit hole, and also call it a rather "easy" run for the Pacers facing an injured Milwaukee roster, short Antetokounmpo and Lillard. And also facing an injured Knicks roster, in Hart, Brunson and Anunoby. Either way, both rosters will have to face the music and compete for a shot at the NBA finals starting tonight at 5:00 P.M.

THE MATCHUPS

POINT GUARD MATCHUP: HOLIDAY V HALIBURTON

Jrue Holiday is coming off a good series, scoring 13 a game on 51% efficiency. Although he passed the ball efficiently with his 3.2 assist-to-turnover ratio, his defensive statistics didn't scream Jrue Holiday. He did his share for the most part contributing 5 boards and 4 assists as well. Tyrese Haliburton had an amazing series on the other hand. Picture everything Holiday did and add to the totals. Leading the Pacers, with his 21 points, 7 assists, and nearly 2 steals a game. Haliburton broke out, and really figured out how to facilitate this Pacers roster. It will be a great matchup between the two guards, I will be surprised to see Haliburton go into the series as the number one scoring option though. Either way, Haliburton has lead this Pacers team and they have momentum and rhythm going into this series. Haliburton over Holiday.

SHOOTING GUARD MATCHUP: WHITE V NEMBHARD

After coming off a rather disappointing series, for Derrick White. I'd still pick him over Andrew Nembhard. Having a completely different series to the Heat series, White shot horribly from the field at 31% and wasn't a high contribution to the scoreboard as he did in the Heat series. With Nembhard possibly on the defensive end over Mitchell and Garland this series, I confidently say White goes on another tear to help boost the Celtics offense. Although he struggled in scoring, he did come around and play his part with his playmaking, with an outstanding 11 assist-to-turnover ratio with 4 assists a night. In the case of Andrew Nembhard, he is coming off a great scoring series. With 12 points a game on great efficiency and also 5 assists a game. I expect his efficiency to stay well throughout this series, but again I don't see him competing with White.

SMALL FORWARD MATCHUP: BROWN V NESMITH

Jaylen Brown is staying consistent and had a near identical series as the first round. Taking a step back as the 2nd leader in Celtics points-per-game he still put up his 23 points a night on a near 60% shooting efficiency with 7 rebounds as well. Brown is and will continue to be an offensive machine for Boston, like White's matchup, I don't see Aaron Nesmith competing. In Aaron Nesmith's case he's been playing well for the role he has on the roster, shooting well on low attempts, and being available is never an issue, but defensively and being matched up against Brown isn't great for him.

POWER FORWARD MATCHUP: TATUM V SIAKAM

Probably the best matchup of the series. Both very dominant players. But, Jayson Tatum had a great series against Boston. Leading the Celtics in points (27), rebounds (10), assists (1), steals (1), and tied for first in blocks (1) per game. Although shooting very poorly from three, Jayson Tatum put the team on his back and got them here in the 5 games. I expect a slight decline in Tatum's numbers with Siakam and Turner boxing out and likely defending him. Like Brown, Siakam took a step back from scoring but continued to stay consistent. Leading the team in rebounds with 6, and still scoring 20 points game. Siakam will continue to be an offensive force for Indiana. But overall Tatum has been the better player.

CENTER MATCHUP: HORFORD/PORZINGIS V TURNER

Al Horford is coming off a great 22 point game to close out the Cavaliers. Coming off a non-efficient series, and scoring 10 points a game, I don't see Al Horford keeping up with Myles Turner. I am also going to actually include Kristaps in this one. Like mentioned before, Porzingis is for sure out for at least the first two games. But he is most for sure cold. But I feel he fits so well in the starting 5, and was one of main contributors to their 1-seeded roster. Myles Turner is still a great defensive anchor for the Pacers while also shooting the 3-ball well at 48%. He will dominate Horford and be a great matchup for Porzingis.

BENCH MATCHUP: CELTICS V PACERS

Like mentioned before Tyrese Haliburton has been the facilitator. But so has TJ McConnell for the Pacers. Averaging 6 assists and 12 points a game, the Pacer's 6th man is looking great and setting up players like Obi Toppin averaging 10 points a night and Ben Sheppard. The Celtics will get some help with Horford returning to the bench later in the series, but it won't be enough to go against the system the Pacers have going on.

OVERALL SERIES: CELTICS WIN IN 6 GAMES

Although I was wrong to doubt the Pacers in the 2nd round, I was glad to see what I asked for in more game 7s. But unfortunately, with Kristaps Porzingis likely returning, and the Celtics being such an offensive threat and a threat all season long. It's hard to bet against. Celtics win in 6. Hopefully Larry Bird is in the stands to see the Celtics or Pacers advance.